Fluid pressure operated apparatus



July 11, 1950 o. DANIELS 2,514,747

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED APPARATUS I Filed Jan. 15, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v v i i i ma S/ www @Sgm July 11, 1950 o. DANlELs FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. l5, 1945 gms/nm Patented July 11, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED APPARATUS Oscar Daniels, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Application January 15, 1945, Serial No. 572,887

6 Claims. l

This invention appertains to improvements in fluid pressure operated apparatus which may be applied to various uses, particularly for measuring the duration of current flow in an electrical circuit, e. g., the current flow or impulse employed to control the operation of a pneumatic spot welding tool or machine.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this kind to effect the control of an electrical contactor or switch which is caused to initiate the welding current impulse and after a predetermined time interval to break the current now, the operation of the contacter being co-related with the movements or position of the electrodes of the welding tool or machine so that the latter remain engaged with the work during current ow and for a measured time interval after the current is out off.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a mechanically reiined valve, of the nonbeat type, for controlling the iluid pressure from a single main supply line to a timing device designed to insure of accurate and efcient operation of the welding tool or machine, the valve preferably taking the form of a handle in assembly with the timing device for convenience in manipulation by the operator of the tool or machine.

A further object of the invention has to do with the provision of an automatic timer unit, which is comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, compactly constructed with a minimum of parts, foolproof in design, and highly accurate and efficient in operation.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a control valve and timer combination as hereinbefore characterized, which, by operating with but a single fluid pressure supply line, effects an appreciable saving in construction material and operation costs, requiring less hose or pipes and the couplings therefor, as well as a less volume of fluid pressure.

With these and other objects and advantages in view, the invention resides in the certain new and useful combination, construction, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, set forth in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section,

of a pneumatic spot welding unit, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section, taken through the line 2 2 on Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional detail, taken through the line 3 3 on Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a sectional detail similar to that of Figure 3, but taken through the line 4-4 on Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 5 is still another sectional detail, taken through the line 5 5 on Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts in the several views, the invention, as it is exemplified therein, is comprised essentially in a manually actuated control valve and a timing device for measuring the duration of the welding current impulse, the same being described herein in connection with a pneumatic spot welding tool or machine, although they are adapted for other uses, for instance, with reciprocating steam engines and pumps and with certain hydraulically operated tools and machines.

As shown in Figure 1, the control valve (hereinafter called the controller) and the timing device are preferably arranged in unit assembly, the controller taking the form of a handle for the manipulation of the unit during welding opera'tions. The controller is comprised in an elongated cylindrical casting part lil, having a bore if-l extending centrally inward from one end for nearly the entire length thereof to receive a piston 22. The outer end of the bore hl is enlarged by a counter-bore I6 to receive a head 24, formed on the outer end of the piston 22, the head being provided with ring packings 25. The cuter end of the counterbore or cylinder I6 is closed by a removable screw plug I3, which is provided with a central port 2li for the attachment thereto of an air line 56. The inner end of the bore I4 is communicated by a horizontally slotted passage 2B, formed in the end wall of the casting part il), said wall being provided with a conical seat Sil, about the passage 2B, to be engaged by a conical valve element 32, which is movable in the bore i4. A port 34 opens laterally from the casting part l0, through the bottom wall of the passage 28, and this is normally closed against the egress of the fiuid pressure therethrough, as will presently be explained.

Screw threaded on the latter end of the casting part I0, is a shorter casting part l2, which has a bore opening centrally through its attached end to house a main control valve 35, preferably of ball form, that is normally held closed against an annular seat 38, formed on the connected end of the casting part Hl, about the passage 23, by a coiled spring 4l). The outer end of the casting part I2 is provided with an inlet port 42, for the connection thereto of a main iiuid pressure, e. g., compressed air, supply line 53, this pressure cooperating with the coiled spring ill in holding the ball valve 36 closed. Projecting into the passage 28, from the conical valve 32, is a plunger 143, which acts to push the ball valve Se from its seat 38, whenever the conical valve 3E is 'moved into engagement with its seat Sil. With the opening of the ball valve 3S and the closing of the conical valve 32, fluid pressure from the main supply line 58 enters the passage 2S and passes outward through the outlet port 34, from which the uid pressure is cut oi when the ball valve is closed.

With the controller in this inactive state, it is to be rendered active by means of a trigger will, which preferably takes the form oi a hand lever having one end pivoted, as lat- 52, to the under side of the casting part il), and an angled arm i3 projecting into the bore i4, through a slotway the arm bis having a substantially spherical enlargement 5E), at its free end, interposed between the piston 22 and the conical valve 32. With the trigger i5 normally disposed, the conical valve 32 is disengaged from its seat 39 and the ball valve 35 is closed on its seat 38, and, when the trigger is actuated to reverse the positions ci these valves, it is held, together with the valves, against return tov normal positions by a pressure exerted on the piston 22 from the fluid pressure line 5t for a predetermined period of time, i. e., until a welding cycle is completed, as will be later explained.

The timing device, to which the hand controller just described is bracketed, as at 66, for use in the performance-of the welding operations, is comprised of a comparatively large main pressure cylinder which is closed at its upper end by a removable cover plate 66 and at its lower end by an integral wall 58, the latter being provided with a centrally disposed and inwardly extending nipple le, constituting `2,1, bearing for a piston rod l2.- A piston head M, having packing rings l5, is vcooperatively associated with the inner end of the rod 12 and is provided with a centrally located bushing i8, which seats over the piston end, the head' beingv supported on a ange at the inner or lowerA end of thebushing and is secured in place by means of a washer B2 and a nut i, engagedl on `aH reduced part St, at the top end of the bushing. The outer end of the piston rod 'l2 is formed with a reduced extension St, for the screw threading of a cap nut BS on the same. A passage d extends axially through the pistonl rod l2 and connects `a cross duct 92 adjacent the'inner 'end of the rod and with a like duct 95 adjacent the. outer end thereof; the cross duct 92 opening into an annular channel Sd, formed in the inner side of the bushing l, and the'cross duct 96 into the interior of the cap nut 8%. Encircling the piston rod l2, between the head 'l and the end wall 63, of the cylinder, is a coiled spring 98, while a second coiled spring |00 isV encircled about a reduced part formed at the inner end of the rod, one end of the-latter spring bearing against the inner end of the bushing 18 and the other end against vthel shoulder` at the inner end oi the reduced part. An exhaust port lill opens through thevwall oi the cylinder 64, immediately inward from the endfwall 68.

Mounted on the outer side of the main cylinder dil, is a panel m6, on which a valve block 88 is supported, said block being formed to provide a main valve cylinder il!) and a smaller auxiliary or control valve cylinder lfi, offset centrally of and at one side ci the main valve cylinder. Both valve cylinders Ht and lit are open ended, with the open ends of the main valve cylinder il@ closed -by cap plugs |52. cylinder lill is provided with a pair or" oppositely disposed main side ports H5 and llt; an inlet port ii, connected by a conduit '52 to the outlet port 355 of the hand controller, and an exhaust port l lf3 in direct connection with which a passage @23, formed in the panel itt and open to atmosphere; the latter port being located out line, i. e., in a plane below the port llt. The inlet port i irl is connected with the interior ci the valve cylinder lili by a duct or passage 922, which opens into the cylinder li between the intake ends of a pair of ducts or passages |25 vand ld that open into the valve cylinder lira?,

at points adjacent the cap plugs H2; these several ducts or passagesbeing formed in the connecting wall of the two valve cylinders. The valve cylinder il@ is provided with a third main side port l28, located midway between the main ports lili and .H8 and opposite the valve cylinder iid, and this port is connected by a pair of parallel ducts or passages i3@ and E32 with the interior of the valve cylinder iii?, the duct or passage 35) being disposed in the plane of the pressure inlet duct or passage |22, connecting theinterior of the valve cylinder iii with the main inlet port l it, while the duct or passage it, constituting an exhaust connection with the exhaust port H8, as will be presently explained. The port |23 is connected by a conduit i3d to a distributing head |36, mounted on the main cylinder 6d, with which it communicates at a point above the working piston le, and also, through the pressure conduit 55, with the interior of the cylinder it, of the handcontroller; the latter conduit having connection with the port Et, in the cap plug It.

Hcused within the main valve cylinder im, a plunger |38, that is provided with an annular channel it@ in the plane of its transverse center, which, during the reversed directional motions ci the plunger, establishes communication between the main inlet port H6, by way of the duct or passage E22 and the valve cylinder Eid, and the outlet port i3d, of the third main port 28, on the one hand, and between the exhaust ports HS and |32, on the other hand. l-loused within the auxiliary valve cylinder HIS, is a piston type of control valve M2, which is circumferentially channeled, as at Hifi, to alternately establish communication between the ducts or passages it and |25 and the inlet duct or passage 522, leading from the main pressure inlet port lit, to cause the required directional movements of the plunger |33, within the main valve cylinder lill. This .piston valve M2 is adjustably mounted on the outer or free end oi a piston rod HG, between pairs of oppositely disposed lock nuts HSS; the opposite end of the piston rod entering the near end of one of a pair oi cylinders 45B and |52, which are preferably cast en bloc substantially as shown in Figure 2. The cylinder |50 has its lower end closed by a cap plug |56 and is provided with a pressure inlet and outlet passage |56, adjacent its lower end, and a side exhaust port E58, open at atmosphere, adjacent its upper end. The inner or lower end of the piston rod |46, within the cylinder |56,

The Valve Acarries a head Il and a coiled spring |62, the

`duct or passage |22, so that the plunger is caused to move upward, or to the right, as the case may be, within the cylinder liti, to establish communication between the main pressure intake port llt and the outlet duct or passage i3d of the main third port |23, by way of the ,channel Mit in the plunger.

The automatic mechanism proper, for timing or measuring the duration of the welding current impulse, is housed within the cylinder |52,

which has its upper open end closed by a cap plug itil, that is provided with a cylindrical sleeve I, depending therefrom and telescoped within the upper open end of the skirt of an inverted hollow piston |558, the lower end of the sleeve being inwardlyT bevelled, for purposes which will presently appear. rilhis piston itil, when disposed in its lowermost position, rests on the bottom end wall of the cylinder, closing over a pressure inlet port llt, which is adjustable by means of a needle valve ll. The skirt of the piston |58 is circumierentially reduced to provide an annular passage il@ about the same, to establish communication between the interiors of the cylinders |52 and |50, through the passage |55, which opens through the connecting wall of said cylinders, and, when the piston |68 is at its lowerrnost position, air from beneath the piston Hill bleeds therethrough into the cylinder |52, from which it subsequently exhausts to atmosphere.

Housed within the annular space i'l, between the side wall of the cylinder i222 and the sleeve itt, is a coiled spring Hi8, and an eX- haust port itil opens to atmosphere through the cylinder wall from this space and iroin the interior of the sleeve through a like port |32. The exhaust air from the cylinder enterin the cylinder through the duct or passage |55, passes to the exhaust port |38, by way of the annular passage lill and the space |76. IThe sleeve ltt opens through the cap plug itil and carries a split nut itil, to reduce the area of the opening therethrough and to receive the reduced part or stern |86, oi a piston which is slidable in the lower end of the sleeve. Carried in a cross bore itil, in the piston |83, is a pair of spring |534-, which tensions the detents outwardly of the bore ends for engagement in recesses formed in the wall of the piston itil, so that, when the latter moves upwardly in relation to the sleeve itil, the detents, in their engagement with the recesses, transmit the upward motion of the piston i653 to the piston il, th upward Inovement or" both pistons ac`I tc place the coiled spring llt and a like spring housed within the space between the sleeve and the stein |86, of the piston iii, Linder compression. The piston stem itt is provided with an axial bore itil, which opens through its top end to seat a coiled spring 232 and a bushing The bush-- ing 2M is exteriorly screw threaded to receive an adjusting nut do which is tightened up against the underlying flanged end of the stern |85, of the piston lll-il, the flange of the latter engaging with the like end of the bushing Idil, when the piston itil is at its lowermost position of movement. A headed push rod 208 projects outwardly of the bore 20|), through the bushing 2M, and connects with the movable contactor (not shown) of a micro-switch 2|0, which has terminals 2|2 for electrical connection with a solenoid (not shown) of a kva. transformer (not shown) in a usual manner, causing a ilow of current to the welding tips 2|6 and 220, when the circuit is closed; the tip 2|6 being bracketed, as it 2 i8, to the lower, or left hand, end of the main pressure cylinder tft', and the tip 220 secured in the end of the cap nut lit, on the lower or outer end of the piston rod '|2. The control switch 2| is secured in place on the panel |05, by screws or the like 2M. A flexible connection 222, in the form of a length of hose, connects an outlet port in the cap nut 38 with the inlet port Iii, to allow for freedom of movement of the piston rod l2, in forcibly presenting the welding tip 22@ to the work positioned between it and the welding tip 2| 8, the latter being stationarily supported by the bracket 2|8 in line with the tip The outlet port in the cap nut 83 opens outwardly from cross duct 96, that is in the form oi a groove or channel in the lower end of the piston rod '|2.

n the operation of the welding apparatus, as thus constituted, and with compressed air on in the main line conduit 58, the air pressure within the casing part l2 aids the coiled spring 46 in maintaining the ball valve 36 on its seat 38, shutting oli the air from the outlet 31| and thereby rendering the apparatus inactive. To activate the apparatus, the trigger d5 is depressed and forces the conical valve 32 onto its seat and, at the same time, the plunger llt, carried by the conical valve 352, strikes against the yball valve Sii, pushing it to open position, when air pressure from the main line conduit 58 and the interior of the casing part i2 enters the valve seat 3S and passes to the outlet port 3d and the conduit S2 to the intake port llt, in the cylinder block I. From the intake port i lli, the air passes 'through the duct or passage |22 into the auxiliary valve cylinder lidi and from thence through the duct or passage |213 and into the cylinder |58, beneath the plunger |33, forcing the latter to the opposite end of the cylinder ll. In this position of the plunger |36, its annular channel |40 connects the intake port lit with the duct or passage |36 and the third main port |26, from which the air passes through the conduit |351 to the distributing head |36, and the conduit 56, to the port 2i?, in the cap plug ill, o the hand controller, which forces the piston 22 inwardly oi the cylinder i8 and against the part il, of the trigger d'6, thus holding the conical valve 32 closed and the ball valve 36 open. Due to the greater area of the piston head 2t, with respect to that of the ball valve St, the force of the air pressure acting against the piston head 24 is sufficient to overcome the combined force of the air pressure and the coiled spring il acting against the ball valve in opposition thereto, so that the parts are held in this state until a Welding cycle is completed. With the admission of the air pressure to the cylinder lill, it will also pass into the main cylinder Gil, through the distributing head i3d, forcing the main piston ifi downward until the welding tips 235 and 2|6 are closed on the work placed therebetween. rThe air will build up in pressure within the main cylinder Srl to that amount required to overcome 'the coiled springs 98 and itil which are cornpressed until the cross duct S2, is opened, when thev airwill .pass into the' cross duct v92 and' downward through the axial duct or passage 90, to the cross duct '95 and the outlet port in the cap nut Sdi At this point, the welding tips 2|6 and 225 are in contact with the work under a proper pressure for effective spot welding. From the outlet port in the cap nut 88, the air passes through the flexible connection 222to the needle valve |14 and the inlet port |12, where it enters the timing device and forces the piston |68 upwardly within the cylinder |52. With the detents or pawls |52 engaged in the recesses |96, the piston |88 islikewise forced in an upward direction, together with the plunger 258, so that the latter closes the contactor of the microswitch 2N2- With the closing of the switch 2W, a circuit is closed' on the solenoid of the transformer, from which current passes to the welding tips 2 l5 and 225'. .As the plunger or push rod 208 travels upward, the piston |88 compresses the coiled spring 252, holding the switch contacts Von closed circuit until the detents or pawls |92 strike the-bevel on the lower end of the sleeve |55, which will cause them to disengage from the recesses |55. With the upward movement of the piston |88, air compressed by it within the space housing the coiled spring |98 will pass outwardly of the. exhaust ports |82 and |80, respectively of the sleeve |65 and the cylinder |52. With the detents or pawls so disengaged, the push rod 258 is pulled to open the switch 2 Il, by the action of the coiled spring |58 tov force the piston |88 downward of the sleeve |56, thus cutting 01T of the currenty from' the welding tips 2|6 and 229, the allotted `welding time having elapsed. The piston |55, however, still travels upward, following the disengagement of the detents or pawls |52, and until its bottom end is inline with the passage |55, controlled by the needle valve llt, when air from the inlet port |72 passes through the port |55 to the cylinder |55, beneath the piston |65, and forces the latter upwardly until the lower pair of lock nuts M8 strike the piston valve U32, moving it upwards within the .cylinder H5 to position to direct air from the duct or passage |22 into the duct or passage |26 and the cylinder H5, above the plunger |38, which is caused to move downward to its intial position. This delayed action allows for a cooling off period to the weld, while the movable tip 220 is still under pressure of the piston 74. With the downward movement of the plunger |38, the channel Ill' therein is displaced from its previous alignment with the inlet port HE and the outlet port |35, of the main port |28, and placed in alignment with the exhaust port IIB, whereby the air in the cylinder i6, of the hand controller, is bled back through the conduit 56, the distributing head |36, and the conduit |34, to the main port |28 and from thence inwardly through the duct or passage |32 into the channel |55, from which it passes outwardly through the exhaust port i8 and the duct or passage |2ll to atmos-phere. Also, the air in the main cylinder 54| will exhaust through the distributing head |35, by way of the conduit |35, the main port |28, the duct or passage |32, the channel |25, and the exhaust :port H8, causing the welding tips 2 5 and 225 to open. At this time, the piston |55, in cylinder |55, is being returned to its initial position by the action of the coiled. spring |52, the air within the cylinder |58, below the piston |60, is delayed in exhausting outwardly through the passage |55 until the piston |58, in the cylinder |52 moves downwardly to its. initial position, at which position, the air in the cylinder |52 exhausts through port |72', needle' valve |14, through flexible connection 222, cross duct 96, axial duct 90, cross duct 92, into annular channel 94, thence into cylinder 61| and to atmosphere through port |04. When the piston Il is at its lowermost position within the cylinder |50, it will have moved the upper pair of adjustable lock nuts |45 against the upper end of the piston valve 42, returning the latter to its initial or lower position Within the cylinder H4. The delay in the opening of the welding tips 2|5 and 220, vbesides allowing for the cooling down of the completed weld, also allows for the moving of the apparatus or tool to another job. However, if the trigger l5 is held depressed, the welding unit or tool will keep repeating the welding operations.

Having thus fully described my invention, it is to be understood that any and all changes in minor details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, provided that they fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A pneumatic `piston and cylinder assembly comprising two piston and cylinder units and means for pre-determined differential actuation of the pistons of the same by a continuous application of compressed air, the assembly comprising a main piston and cylinder unit,v a control unit connected therewith and with a source of compressed air for applying the air tol said main unit to actuate the piston thereof, a secondary piston and cylinder unit, means transmitting compressed air from the main unit into the secondary unit subsequent to initial actuation of the piston of the main unit, a principal piston in said secondary unit, means for actuating the same by said transmitted compressed air, an auxiliary piston associated with said principal piston, means releasably connecting said principal and auxiliary pistons for simultaneous initial actuation of the latter by the former, means interrupting said releasable connection after pre-determined actuation of the auxiliary piston, means restoring the auxiliary'piston to its initial position upon interruption of said Iconnection, means diverting the compressed air from said principal piston upon pre-determined additional actuation of the latter subsequent to :said interrupted connection, with the auxiliary piston, and means operative upon said diversion of air pressure for restoring the main and the principal piston to initial position.

2. A pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly comprising two piston and cylinder units and means for pre-determined dierential actuation of the pistons of the same by a continuous application of compressed air, the assembly comprising a main piston and cylinder unit, a control unit connected therewith and with a source of compressed air for applying the air to said main unit to actuate the piston thereof, a secondary piston and cylinder unit, means transmitting compressed air from the main unit into the secondary unit subsequent to initial a-ctuation of the piston of the main unit, a principal piston in said secondary unit, means for actuating the same by said transmitted compressed air, an auxiliary piston associated with said principal piston, means releasably connecting said principal and auxiliary pistons for simultaneous initial actuation of the latter by the former, means interrupting said releasable connection after pre-determined actuation of thev auxiliary piston, means restoring the auxiliary piston to its initial position upon interruption of said connection, means diverting the compressed air from said principal piston upon pre-determined additional actuation of the latter subsequent to said interrupted connection, with the auxiliary piston, and means operative upon said diversion of air pressure for restoring the main and the principal piston to initial position, for .re-instituting the cycle of action during the continued application of compressed air.

3. A pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly comprising two piston and cylinder units and means for differential actuation of the pistons of the same by a, continuous application of compressed air, the assembly comprising a main piston and cylinder unit, means for actuating the piston thereoi` by -compressed air, a secondary piston and cylinder unit comprising a principal and an auxiliary piston, means for transmitting compressed air from the main unit into the secondary unit subsequent to actuation of the piston of the main unit for actuating said principal piston, means for actuating the auxiliary piston by said movement of the principal piston, means for terminating actuation of the auxiliary piston during continued movement of the principal piston and for restoring the auxiliary piston to initial position, means diverting the compressed air from said principal piston to terminate said actuation thereof after an interval of said continued movement, and means operative upon said diversion of air pressure for restoring the main and the principal piston to initial position.

4. A pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly comprising a main piston and cylinder unit, a secondary piston and cylinder unit associated therewith, pneumatic pressure means for actuating in succession the pistons of said main and secondary units, an auxiliary piston associated with the said secondary unit piston, means eifecting actuation of the auxiliary piston upon actuation of the secondary unit piston, means limiting movement of the auxiliary piston and providing for a continued movement of the secondary unit piston, and means operative at a predetermined interval of said continued movement for releasing the pneumatic pressure on said main and secondary unit pistons.

5. A pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly comprising a main piston and cylinder unit, a secondary piston and cylinder unit associated therewith, pneumatic pressure means for actuating in succession the pistons of said main and secondary units, an auxiliary piston associated with the said secondary unit piston, means effecting actuation of the auxiliary piston upon actuation of the secondary unit piston, means limiting movement of the auxiliary piston and providing for continued movement of the secondary unit piston, means restoring the auxiliary piston to initial position independently of said continued movement of the secondary unit piston, and means operative at a pre-determined interval of said continued movement for releasing the pneumatic pressure on said main and Secondary unit pistons.

6. A pneumatic piston and cylinder assembly comprising a main piston and cylinder unit, a secondary piston and cylinder unit associated therewith, pneumatic pressure means for actuating in succession the pistons of said main and secondary units, an auxiliary piston associated with the said secondary unit piston, means effecting actuation of the auxiliary piston upon actuation of the secondary unit piston, means limiting movement of the auxiliary piston and providing for continued movement of the secondary unit piston, means restoring the auxiliary piston to initial position independently of said continued movement of the secondary unit piston, means operative at a pre-determined interval of said continued movement for releasing the pneumatic pressure on said main and secondary unit pistons, and means for restoring the said main and said secondary unit piston to initial position.

OSCAR DANIELS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,067,064 Platz Jan. 5, 1937 2,250,302 Johnson July 22, 1941 2,307,968 Sonneborn Jan. 12, 1943 2,337,022 Beiderman Dec. 21, 1943 2,372,850 Platz Apr. 3, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 492,921 Great Britain Sept. 29, 1938 

